Pneumopericardium associated with high-frequency jet ventilation during laser surgery of the hypopharynx in a child.
A case of pneumopericardium, without concomitant pneumothorax, resulting from high frequency jet ventilation during laser surgery of the hypopharynx is described. The patient, a four-year-old boy, suffered cardiac arrest as a consequence of the incident. The pneumopericardium was likely to have been caused by obstruction to the expiratory flow during surgery. Other possible explanations for the incident are discussed.
Mikkelsen
S
S
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Knudsen
K E
KE
D002675:Child, Preschool; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology; D006611:High-Frequency Jet Ventilation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography